Academic Success

ASD Affinity Program

Defiance’s ASD Affinity Program offers students with ASD the environmental and professional
support services needed to overcome barriers and provide for avenues of academic success
in the traditional college setting. The prominent place our Hench Autism Studies Program
has enjoyed on the Defiance College campus has fostered a campus-wide appreciation
for the contributions students with ASD bring to the college community.

Some key features of the ASD Affinity Program include:

Students enroll in no more than 12-13 credit hours during their first semester of
coursework leading toward the bachelor’s degree.

Beyond the first semester, credit hour levels are based on academic performance in
alignment with the policy for all Defiance College students.

Faculty advisors in the student’s major are trained to work with students with ASD
and strive to provide the same type of advising offered to all Defiance College students.